Out of the Region and Out of the World. Six Menu Items That we Think You Should see.

Every once in a while (who are we kidding, it’s more like every week) we come across some unique menu items that get our attention. Here are six that will either have you scratching your head…or licking your lips.

Tocabe’s Bison Ribs

The Denver-based fast casual Tocabe is known for its traditional Native American cuisine—one of the only multiunit concepts to take so unique an approach—and has earned rave reviews for its Bison Ribs. The ribs are cured for 24 hours, then braised in a house-made bison stock, grilled, and glazed with a seasonal berry barbecue sauce.

Velvet Taco’s Shrimp & Grits Taco

Inspired by a research trip to Charleston, South Carolina, the R&D team at Velvet Taco wanted to offer a spin on the Southern staple that was more accessible to everyday customers. This taco stuffs remoulade sauce, pepper jack corn grits, and blackened shrimp into a corn tortilla, then tops it with tomato-poblano salsa and micro cilantro.

Starbucks’ Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites

Starbucks, in its quest to enhance its food offerings, rolled out Sous Vide Egg Bites earlier this year. This option includes sous vide eggs and aged Gruyere and Monterey jack cheese, and is topped with applewood-smoked bacon.

Chick-fil-A’s Superfood Side

Chick-fil-A recruited Atlanta chef Ford Fry to develop this new side, made with a blend of kale and broccolini, tossed in a sweet and tangy maple vinaigrette dressing, and topped with dried sour cherries, then served with a blend of roasted nuts. The Superfood Side replaced coleslaw on the menu.

Biscuit Head’s Biscuit Donuts

Biscuits are great, and so are doughnuts. But can they exist together in a singular menu item? If you ask us, it’s a breakfast match made in heaven. Asheville, North Carolina’s Biscuit Head combines the two with a sweet dough that’s fried, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and coated with a layer of powered sugar. The shareable Biscuit Donuts are then served with fresh fruit and a tart homemade lemon curd.

Pokeatery’s Pokecado Toast

Wondering what would result when you combined the ever-popular poke with the ever-more-popular avocado toast? Wonder no more. Pokeatery’s Pokecado Toast offers artisan whole-wheat sourdough toast topped with a customer’s choice of fresh fish, avocado, and extra toppings.

We’re serious when we say we come across these kinds of menu items very often. This list of six is all we could fit into a single post. But we’re sure you have some similar menu items that either head you shaking your head – or rubbing your tummy in anticipation. As usual, let us know in the comments!